Stoobs

2 hours ago, NurembergVillan said:

I think the other thing that helped McGinn yesterday was that, for all of Arsenal's passing, they hold quite a rigid shape.

Xhaka and Partey tend to sit deeper; Sako, Smith-Rowe and Pepe play in front of them; Lacazette on his own up top.  There was no breaking of the lines, nobody pushing up or dropping back from their "zone". Only the full-backs are asked to cross into other territories.

McGinn is all-action, box-to-box, break the lines. In that instance, who picks him up? Maybe when he's off the ball whoever's zone he's in picks him up, but if he's running with the ball they looked confused.

Nakamba was a necessity, because their 3 attacking mids sit where they are - certainly centrally with Smith-Rowe - so Luiz may have been caught out further up the field.

Barkley lost out in this instance, because he was sitting as our attacking mid and had Partey AND Xhaka around him at all times.

At least my take from watching it - I've not done any serious analysis post-match!

Spot on analysis in my opinion.

Villa Are Robbers

Just now, Danishlad said:

I would think he nailed on for players player. The opposition players know how good he is.

Agreed

Just now, Danishlad said:

he has been man of the match ina almost every game the last three years, where have you been?

Started following, and supporting Villa, since McGinn joined you as he was my favourite player at St.Mirren. Grealish has always been good, I totally agree but just feel this season, he looks absolutely world class against Premiership players and not just in Championship. 

A stroke of luck I have to say. We will take it. 

The offside is as bad a decision as I have seen. Plus, if the offside had been given, the sequence of events thereafter would have changed and probably won't have got penalty. 

Give Mings, Konsa, Targett and Cash the freedom of Birmingham now. Outstanding. If they can hold on, I would be erecting statues of them outside Villa Park. 

25 minutes ago, mykeyb said:

Er their 2nd last time I looked

Fair point, meant they were level at top, just behind on goal difference. Great spot. 

I thought Villa were magnificent tonight against a team now top of league. Playing such an attractive brand of football. Such a joy to watch. Thought Cash and McGinn were brilliant alongwith Martinez. Onwards and upwards. 

I have to say, ridiculous VAR decisions or not, this is an absolutely wonderful football match. Villa have been magnificent so far. United are a good watch too, to be honest. As good a game as I have seen this season. 

I don't think Pogba dived. Easy to kick back of own leg trying to hold off opponent when running but it definitely wasn't a penalty. Don't know how you can blame Luiz as he was doing his job by staying tight. Should have been overturned. 

Just now, andym said:

Kicks the back of his own leg

Agree totally. 

Pogba tripped himself up FFS. 

Right. Let's go for the jugular. 

Important we can weather this early storm. United won't sustain this pace and game will settle down where we can get Grealish on the ball and start pulling the strings. 

I have strong feeling it will be 2-2 with a Villa victory only thwarted by a late Bruno Fernandes, VAR awarded, penalty. 

I must admit, I dislike United a lot less with OGS at the helm. Really like the guy to be honest. Just saying some really nice things about Villa there on Sky Sports. Him and Smith must be 2 of most likeable managers in League. That being said, I hope OGS has a petted lip by end of night. 

1 hour ago, Brumstopdogs said:

 

Lol

Thought he deserved man of match. Chilwell ran him close for Chelsea. 

Just now, AV82 said:

'Our'. I love to see it Stoobs!

Lol. 

Feel McGinn has been our best player today. Absolutely non stop and some good passes forward. This would be such a good point. 

Don't think we can underestimate the importance of Martinez to this team. Just exudes calmness and it filters through defence and rest of team. Steal of century after SJM.